Brazil faces dramatic impeachment week

BRASÍLIA: Brazil faces one of the most dramatic weeks in its recent history with senators expected to suspend President Dilma Rousseff and open an impeachment trial against her. The political crisis comes on top of one of the deepest recessions in decades in Latin America’s biggest economy, just three months before it hosts the Olympic Games in Rio from August 5 to 21. Senators gather on Wednesday to discuss whether to launch impeachment hearings against Rousseff over allegations that she covered up shortfalls in the public accounts while running for reelection. Around 50 of the 81 senators have said they will vote in favor of an impeachment trial, well over the simple majority needed to launch the process.